Kurdistan Riots Turn Deadly; 25 Killed, 111 Wounded in Iraq

On Tuesday, protests against unpaid civil servant salaries
and poor public services once again turned violent in Kurdistan. Kurdish
Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzaniacknowledged the protesters
frustrations but called on them to conduct their protests peacefully. Leaders
of other political parties echoed his pleas. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Haider
al-Abadisaid
that he will forcefully react to any violence against demonstrators in Kurdistan;
however, he also said
he would not send sufficient funds to pay some delayed salaries. The payment of
such salaries could halt the violence.

At least 25 people were killed, and 111 were wounded:

Clashes between protesters and security forces in Raniya
left six
dead and about 90
wounded.